Automation - Articles - Page 20

Smart sensors/transmitters provide not only sensor data, but maintenance data as well

Smart Instrumentation

Increase insights and efficiency with smart instrumentation

By analyzing available instrument data, processors can improve their operational efficiency while performing proactive maintenance to reduce costly downtime.

Ola Wesstrom

March 27, 2022

In the age of Industry 4.0, professionals in many industries are going to great lengths to identify production-enhancing insights from their data.

Raw materials like palm oil are often mixed with physically identical raw materials

Blockchain Track & Trace

Unilever tests blockchain technology in tracing palm oil origins to individual suppliers

The pilot, operated by Unilever and Green Token by SAP, helped to ensure that only sustainable sources for palm oil were used

March 23, 2022

In a successful proof of concept in Indonesia, Unilever applied GreenToken, a blockchain technology, to source more than 188,000 tons of palm oil fruit.

Saving energy: Steam generators and retorts

Steam generators are efficient by design, but today’s retorts have improved efficiency, thanks to intelligent controls and ancillary equipment

Wayne Labs

March 22, 2022

Steam generators are known for their efficiency and saving energy, and retorts have been notorious users of steam. What have retorts done lately to save energy?

Automation

The food processing industry needs automation to succeed

Bob Grote

March 14, 2022

A long list of concerns continues to keep businesses in the food processing industry on their toes. Inflation. Supply chain issues. Hiring challenges. The pandemic. However, a connective thread runs through these four: automation.

Process Control

Your window to the process: Clear view or obstructed?

Today’s process control software is tasked to keep machine interfaces easy to configure for both engineers and operators

Wayne Labs

March 7, 2022

Chances are, you’ve probably been using the same HMI, MES or SCADA program for some time in your operation, and you’ve been through several version upgrades too. Providers of these products work hard to make their software backward compatible with equipment and operating systems as well as create new features users want.

Manufacturing News

Federal government needs to set an example on cybersecurity

Government Accountability Office says federal agencies need to do their own homework before they can help the private sector

Wayne Labs

March 7, 2022

While food and beverage processors have been scrambling to protect their process control equipment, intellectual property (IP) and IT/OT systems from cybersecurity/ransomware attacks, their efforts may be outpacing the Federal Government, which should be setting an example by having secured its own agencies from cyberattacks.

CMMS

Six steps for implementing a successful CMMS after COVID-19

Wasique Ahmad

March 4, 2022

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) have become an important tool for companies looking to improve their safety and efficiency.

The Danfoss components provide the brains of the CO2 chiller developed by Pro-Refrigeration, Inc. and installed in a California dairy. Photo courtesy Danfoss

Refrigeration Controls

Carbon dioxide chiller provides ample cold for dairy and replaces propane heat for hot water

In this case the old axiom, killing two birds with one stone applies: a win-win for the environment and lower long-term operating costs

February 23, 2022

With this carbon dioxide chiller installed at a dairy, not only does it cool the milk better, it also provides heat for washing equipment.

EPC Standards

GS1 US launches cross-industry RFID discussion group

Inaugural meeting will feature speakers from Walmart, Auburn University and RFID Journal

February 16, 2022

GS1 US has established a cross-industry radio frequency identification (RFID) discussion group that seeks to address best practices for implementing electronic product code (EPC)–enabled RFID to support supply chain and inventory management imperatives.

How to use automated material transfer effectively

Tips to help food processors assess their material transfer system and determine if automation is right for them.

Sharon Spielman

February 11, 2022

We wanted to learn more about automating material transfer and what food processors need to know to use it most effectively. Here, we sit down with Forrester to find out how food processors can assess their material transfer system and determine if automation is right for them.